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Strengths are the key |
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Business Line |
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Janurary
12, 2009 |
As the year 2008 came to an end, employees faced the inevitable truth: a salary cut or worse, a job loss. A generation that was pampered with high entry-level salaries and a choice of jobs was going through a rough patch. What this generation needs now is realistic advice: how to cope with the uncertainties surrounding their jobs and income loss, where to look for jobs and how best to use the time available to them. In a series titled, ‘Surviving a downsizing,’ several leading HR practitioners advise those who have been impacted and those likely to be impacted on how best to cope with layoffs.
Ranjan Acharya
These are not happy times. Whenever one opens a business newspaper, the spectre of layoffs, job cuts, pay cuts and job freezes stares at us. This is probably one of the most pervasive recessions, affecting every region, every sector and every asset class. There is no cosy corner where one can hide and pull the blanket of safety over one’s head. At the same time, it is important to remember the words of the famous poet: ‘If winter comes, can spring be far behin d?’ Sooner or later, the economy will turn around and opportunities will come bounding back. The world is not going to end.
I hear from those unfortunate enough to lose their jobs, in most parts of the world, that the initial reaction is a sense of deep personal failure. This paralyses them from thinking ahead.
While it is all right to grieve, one must move from the past to the future. David Rock, the author of Quiet Leadership speaks of creating new neural pathways for the future. The future always has options. The past does not because it has already happened. It is important to move to the future on the basis of one’s strengths. These are the strengths that got them the job and served as the basis of all their achievements. Does the CV bring them out enough? If not, it should be re-written.
As a person who has been involved in developing leaders at all levels, I realise that few people take the time to articulate their strengths. Strengths not only give leaders the strategy to overcome their weaknesses, but also the resources to jump back on their feet.
Failure can be used positively. In his book If Harry Potter Ran General Electric, author Tom Morris says, “Our fear of failure can be a springboard to excellence.”
Be proactive, not reactive
Nirupama V. G.
In a troubled economy, job eliminations and hiring freezes seem almost routine but when it happens to you, it all hits home. Intellectually, you understand that downsizing isn’t personal; it’s the organisation’s need to stay afloat in the market, but your heart sinks at the prospect of losing your position.
For instance, J Sasidhar who founded Dharma Systems, an IT company in the US, has returned to India on a three-year sabbatical to set up a high-end furniture store chain under the name Mon Chateau. He says, “After 25 years in the IT industry I felt my job didn’t offer me any new challenges and I wanted to explore my creative skills. So I decided to return to India and do something different.”
Well, if your company is in trouble, it’s possible that your job will be cut. Unfortunately, the labour market still is volatile and bad things can happen to good people and you need to plan to stay afloat.
No matter what field you work in, it’s always good to ‘recession-proof’ your job to the extent possible. Given the market conditions, you may be worried about losing your job in the midst of this meltdown. If you hunker down and just hope for the best, you might end up in darkness. Ask yourself, ‘Can I safeguard my career?’ While you can’t control the market, you can control your outlook during tough times and perhaps protect your job. It’s better to be proactive than reactive and control factors within your control to safeguard your job.
Let’s look at five proactive tips to insulate your job:
Go above and beyond: The biggest thing a person can do to solidify his/her position is to do an excellent job in their role with the company. The mantra is ‘maximise efficiency, maximise productivity and minimise costs’. Set your own productivity standards and exceed them. Each employee should have a clear focus on his/ her deliverables and constantly improve productivity. If you have the drive to go beyond the basics, then you are poised to stay with the organisation. Take on more responsibilities, be enthusiastic and do the job you’re paid to do, and a lot more.
Be visible: Be in the right places at the right time. Step outside your comfort zone and volunteer for new assignments and increased responsibility. In a slow moving economy, being seen in the right places may be a career enhancer. Make sure people understand what you do and how you add value. High visibility and creating the perception that one’s work/contribution is valuable to the organisation can increase one’s chances of staying with the organisation.
Kick into high gear: Regularly assess your company’s goals and your own to see if they are in sync. If you find gaps between your company’s needs and the skills you currently possess, invest more time and effort to hone your skills. People with key multi-skills are more resistant to job cuts; it is more important now, than ever, to adapt to new skills.
Be positive: Change appears to be the common denominator in the workplace these days and developing a positive attitude that you can maintain through stressful times will cause those around you to take notice. Even if there is a negative tone in your firm or your industry, do not indulge in gossip, especially within the office premises. Stay positive about the future and ensure you don’t get into depressive mood swings.
Take a salary cut gracefully when offered: If your organisation cuts your salary in order to keep the company afloat, accept it with a positive outlook. Understand the organisation dynamics and be grateful that you have a job . Use the mantra ‘I’m just happy to have a job’ to guide you through the tough times.
Given the current economic conditions, expect the unexpected. Bear in mind that no one is indispensable. It is necessary for a person to build his market network and find alternative opportunities and be equipped to face eventualities, if any.
There is no single approach that ensures continued employment. The key is to discover yourself and make the most of the points that make you distinct from others in your workplace. The future depends on what we do in the present.
(Ranjan Acharya is Senior Vice-President, Corporate Human Resources Development, Wipro. Nirupama V. G. is Managing Director, Ad Astra Consultants.)
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